Abstract: A personal cellular collection apparatus and method for collecting a non-intrusive cell or tissue sample for medical testing such as cervical cancer screening is provided. The apparatus includes a cervical guide ring, an insertion handle, a means for movably attaching the guide ring, and a means for directing a tissue sampling tool to a woman's cervix. The means for movably attaching the guide ring to the insertion handle is a hinge or rachet mechanism having a tab or latch on the ring and a catch on the proximal end of the insertion handle. The method of the invention includes insertion of the collection tool through the introitus of the user's vagina, digital positioning of the guide ring to encircle the user's cervix, guiding a sampling tool to the cervix, wiping the cervix with the sampling tool to collect a tissue sample and removing the sampling tool and cervical guide from the user's vagina.

Abstract: A personal PAP smear apparatus and method for collecting a non-intrusive cell or tissue sample for medical testing such as cervical cancer screening is provided. The apparatus includes an insertion handle, a flexible speculum ring, and a means for movably attaching the speculum ring to the insertion handle. The speculum ring includes two adjacent ring halves circumferentially divided to permit expansion of the collapsed speculum tube housed within the hollow ring halves. The method of the invention includes insertion of the flexible speculum assembly into the user's vagina, movement of the speculum ring to a raised position encircling the user's cervix, separating the ring halves to expand the tube and define the speculum bore, and inserting a sampling tool through the bore until it touches the cervix or surrounding surface areas for tissue sampling.

Abstract: A removable slipcover for a window blind having an upper member, a bottom member, and a plurality of louvers, is provided. The slipcover includes a tubular body section having an interior and an exterior surface defined by a front and a back panel. The panels are along the top and sides such that the tubular body section has a length and width sufficient to cover the plurality of louvers on the window blind. The slipcover also includes a means a means for securing the tubular body section to the bottom member of the window blind and a means for permitting access to the mounting hardware of the upper member of the blind.

Abstract: A patella resection guide and a method of resurfacing a patella in situ are provided to achieve accurate placement and functioning of the patellar prosthesis with respect to the other components of the total knee system in total knee arthroplasty. The resection guide includes an adaptor base, a slotted block and a patellar plate. The resection guide is mounted on a trial component such as a femoral component using the adaptor base. The patella is captured and maintained in its non-everted, anatomic position using a three-point fixation surface of the patellar plate. A height adjustment mechanism is included to change the spacial relationship between the guide and attached trial component. The height adjustment mechanism includes a plurality of grooved posts on the base adaptor and ball plungers on the slotted block which engage the grooves when the height is chosen and set.